Aug. 10, 2001
BIRMINGHAM - Samford's varsity strapped on the helmets for the first time Friday, joining the freshmen for two-a-day practice as the Bulldogs practiced at full strength for the time since preseason drills began.
Following conditioning drills and strength tests on Thursday, Samford's returning players joined the freshmen for a two-hour session Friday morning and again in the afternoon until nearly sundown.
Despite the fact that many players had been away from campus for various reasons over the summer, Head Coach Pete Hurt said he was pleased overall with the squad's energy and work ethic and that many of the younger players continued to impress him.
"Right now we are throwing a lot at them, both from a system standpoint and just to keep preparing them mentally," said Hurt. "But I do like how our guys are working and I have seen several of our younger players continue to make great strides."
- Eight starters return on defense for Samford, including all-star candidates safety Jonathan Clark and outside linebacker/defensive back Robert Evans. Offensively only two starters remain, wideout Aryvia Holmes, who has led the team in receiving the past two seasons, and quarterback Josh Kellett. Kellett, a two-year starter, is expected to draw heated competition from redshirt freshman Donald Baker and Mobile native Ramon Nelson as practice progresses.
- Freshman Efrem Hill, a 6-2, 170-pound wide receiver from Atlanta's North Springs High School, continues to draw praise from Hurt. Hill was recruited as a quarterback and wide receiver by the Bulldogs, but has practiced solely at wideout since preseason practice began. Hill rushed for 943 yards and passed for 680 as a senior at North Springs.
- Freshman defensive linemen Jeff Monroe and Thad Henderson also have made their presence felt in early practices. Monroe has vacillated between first and second team and it didn't hurt either youngster that the Bulldogs were a player down on Friday, as Blake Hall did not practice due to injury.
- The Bulldogs will continue two-a-day practice on Saturday and are expected to suit up in full pads early next week.
